Explosive projectile.



E. S. WALES.

EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24. 1916.

1,222,051 Patented Apr. 10,1917.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ENID S. WALES, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 HENRIETTA W. K. PIERCE, OF DETROIT, MIGI-IIGAN.

EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

Application filed June 24, 1916. Serial No. 105,528.

To all "whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ENID S. VALES, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of lVayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Explosive Projectiles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to projectiles of the explosive type. adapted to distribute masses of barbed wire or the like over any area within range of the weapon and used to aiford adequate impedance to a movement of troops over the ground.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, partly broken away and in section, of a projectile embodying features of the invention;

' Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation of the body of the projectile;

Fig. 3 is another view of a projectile showing thesocket for attaching the stem, and

Fig. 4 is a view in detail, with portions exaggerated in dimension, to illustrate rifiing bands used on the stem.

As herein shown, a stem 1 is adapted to fit the barrel of a trench mortar or other piece of ordnance, for which it has rifling bands 2 of copper or other suitable material.

It is arranged at its upper end to screw into or otherwise engage in the socket 3 of a chambered head 4 having lateral projections 5 that are preferably disposed symmetrically. Preferably the projections have hollow stems that may contain the bursting charge and are secured or otherwise held in the head which may be weakened as indicated at 7 to permit projection therefrom under the influence of the charge when the latter is exploded.

A conoidal hollow body or cap 8 is formed on the outer end of each stem as acarrier for coils 9 of barbed wire, the inner ends of which are secured at appropriate places on the body as indicated at 10. As shown at 11, in-a modification of the winding, the wires may be laid regularly with spacing means between them, although this is not necessary. A time fuse device 12 is also provided for exploding the charge in the usual way.

As a result of this construction a projectile is obtained that is capable of carrying a large mass of'wire to the desired point so that when it explodes it distributes the wire in tangled masses over a wide area. As shown herein, the wire unwinds from the interior of the coil and eifectively arranges itself in irregular turns over the ground. Thus the projectiles may be used to impede the progress of troops that are moving against points to be protected after the ordinary entanglements have been swept away by the usual preparatory artillery fire. Because of the detachability of the stem, the projectile heads may be used interchangeably with stems of any caliber to suit any requirements of service.

Obviously, changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of my invention and I do not care to limit myself to any particular form or arrangement of parts.

hat I claim is 1. An explosive projectile carrying wire coils detachably secured on the exterior and adapted to be distributed in various directions by the destruction of the projectile and a stem having rifling bands thereon detachably engaged by the head.

2. An explosive projectile comprising a stem, a chambered head detachably mounted on the stem carrying an explosive charge, projections detachably and breakably secured to the head having outer conoidal caps within which wire coils are laid with the inner ends thereof secured to the projectile body.

3. An explosive projectile comprising a stem, a chambered head detachably secured on the stem, hollow stems, projections detachably and disruptably secured to the head, hollow conoidal caps secured on the stems with the open faces thereof toward the body and Wire coils laid in the conoidal caps with one extremity of each attached to the head.

4. An explosive projectile comprising a stem, a chambered head on the stem, projections secured to the head each comprising a hollow stem in communication with the head and an outer conoidal cap with the open face thereof toward the head and wire coils secured Within the caps and attached at the inner extremities thereof to the head.

5. An explosive projectile having a chambered head with exterior wire carrying means secured thereto by weakened connections adapted to be severed by the explosion of the head.

6. An explosive projectile having a chambered head, wire carrying means extending therefrom and having weakened connection with the head adapted to be severed by the explosion of the head and an explosive charge in the head.

7. An explosive projectile having a chambered head, wire carrying projections on the exterior of the head having weakened connection with the head adapted to be disrupted by the explosion of the head and wire on the projections connected at one extremity to the head.

8. An explosive projectile having a chambered head, wire carrying hollow projections on the exterior of the head with weakened portions around them adapted to be disrupted by the explosion of the head and a stem for mounting the head in a gun.

9. In an explosive projectile, a chambered head and Wire carrying extensions thereof, there being a weakened zone around each extension adjacent the point'of c-onnection with the head that is disrupted by the explosion of a charge in the head.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses. V

ENID S. TALES.

WVitnesses:

ANNA M. Donn, C. R. STIOKNEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. 

